One of Norwich’s best-known toy shops is close to unveiling an overhaul of its city-centre store as it adapts to meet the rising popularity of collectible memorabilia.

Langleys is opening a new models and collectibles store at its premises off Haymarket, near Norwich Market, which until mid-January had been Little Langleys, aimed at pre-school ages.

The new store, known as Langleys Collectibles, will cater for interests ranging from Airfix models and self-assembly kits to branded collectors items, Diecast model cars and Harry Potter-styled wands.

Chris Goulding, store manager, said the company had made the decision to move its pre-school products back into the main store and use the space to expand another product range.

“We felt it was more appropriate to have the pre-school stuff back in the main shop, and here we decided to do something a bit different,” he said.

Langleys new collectors and model shop. Picture: ANTONY KELLY

“We were getting asked for a lot of these kinds of products – we’ve always had a model department in Langleys but we thought it would be good to expand the range.”

The company has been building stock for the new store, with Mr Goulding purchasing extra products during a trade event at the Birmingham NEC last week.

Manager of the new store Gary Bicknell, who currently runs Langleys’ models department, said the store’s collections would continue to develop after its opening, with plans to introduce more automobilia and militaria.

The shop is also “testing the water” with larger figurines, similar to those sold in sister shop The Television and Movie Store.

Langleys new collectors and model shop. Picture: ANTONY KELLY

He said: “It is an extension of what we already do in Langleys’ model department. We have added things to it like swords, armour and fairies along with the traditional things like model cars and air-fix kits.

“In the new shop we have added more things again – keeping the traditional product range and expanding on new things that people like.”

Mr Bicknell said a crossover was emerging between fans of models and collectibles and those into a new brand of board game, called “geek games” in the trade – a crowd it plans to cater to alongside collectors with more traditional tastes.

The new shop will also sell pre-owned items, and will be looking to buy collections from people wishing to sell theirs.